Back to 1997, I became the originator of online literature

Chapter 343 Andy Lau: I can bring my own investment to the production team.

Huizhou.

Cao Sheng soaked in the pool for more than an hour before leaving and resting under a parasol.

I picked up the phone on the table and saw Xu Ke's call history.

He smiled helplessly. Although he wanted to ignore these people's calls, reason told him that he couldn't be so willful and that he should maintain the relationships that needed to be maintained.

He dialed Xu Ke's number and chatted with him for a while.

Over the phone, Xu Ke shared the good news about "Ong-Bak" with him.

For example, the box office in the United States has exceeded 3000 million US dollars.

For example, the box office in mainland China has already reached 2600 million RMB.

For example, Hong Kong's box office has exceeded 1000 million.

and many more.

During the phone call, Xu Ke also mentioned that because of the soaring box office data of "Ong-Bak" in many places, it has attracted the interest of distributors in more than a dozen countries around the world who want to bring "Ong-Bak" to these countries.

Cao Sheng listened patiently, not particularly surprised.

Because he remembered that in the original timeline, this movie was Tony Jaa's breakthrough film, and it was because of this movie that Tony Jaa became an international action star.

Remember that Tony Jaa later made two movies with similar themes? One was about finding a stolen Buddha head, and the other was about finding a stolen elephant.

He even made a funny short video later on—someone stole Tony Jaa's elephant doll and was beaten half to death by Tony Jaa.

This shows how much influence the movie Ong-Bak had on Tony Jaa.

Now that the film "Ong-Bak" has been redesigned with director Tsui Hark and starring Zhao Wenzhuo, it has the opportunity to appear on the big screen in multiple countries, which naturally doesn't surprise Cao Sheng too much.

He was quite surprised by the poor box office performance of the previous film.

After chatting about "Ong-Bak" for a while, Tsui Hark changed the subject and invited Tsao Sheng to visit Hong Kong, saying that he would definitely treat Tsao Sheng well if he came. His intention to get closer to Tsao Sheng was very obvious.

Cao Sheng neither refused nor readily agreed, only saying that he would contact him if he had time to go to Hong Kong.

After finishing his call with Xu Ke, Cao Sheng picked up a folder on the table, which contained all the call logs.

They all wanted to contact his film company, director, or star.

He was too lazy to respond before.

Now he has decided to pick out some important ones and call them back one by one.

This is probably what adults mean by maturity.

Even though it's something I don't like to do, I force myself to do it because I feel rationally that I should.

When Cao Sheng returned these calls, he suddenly realized that he was being a bit snobbish. He was too lazy to return calls from ordinary film companies, directors, and stars who were not well-known, and only responded to calls from big companies, big directors, and big stars.

In fact, as his fame and wealth have grown over the past two years, he has come to understand why some "successful people" give the impression of being pretentious.

It's not necessarily because of arrogance.

Rather, it's because they don't have the time, energy, or inclination to deal with so many people.

Just like today, Cui Xinyu counted hundreds of call records for him.

Does he really have to call back every single one of the people who want to contact him?

I can only call back the ones I think are important.

……

When he called Feng Xiaogang back, Cao Sheng chuckled after hearing Feng Xiaogang say that Huayi wanted to deepen its cooperation with him and become his exclusive partner in mainland China.

"Sorry, Director Feng! There's no need for that, because I really won't be writing many scripts in the future."

Feng Xiaogang: "Really? Brother! Why? You make so much money writing screenplays, but how much do you make writing novels? Why don't you want to write screenplays anymore? I really don't understand, brother!"

Cao Sheng: "Hehe, just consider this as me having made enough money and being willful!"

Feng Xiaogang: "No way? You're so young, and you already think you've made enough money? You think you have too much? This, this..."

Cao Sheng chuckled twice.

Feng Xiaogang: "Well, brother! If you don't want to sign an exclusive cooperation agreement with Huayi, I won't try to persuade you. But we've had a pleasant working relationship, right? I haven't ruined a single script you've written, have I? Don't tell me you won't write any more scripts for me in the future! How about this, you write me one script every year from now on, just one, that's not too much, right? What do you think?"

Cao Sheng smiled dismissively, "It depends on my inspiration! If I have inspiration, I'll write it for you; if I don't, don't blame me, okay?"

Feng Xiaogang: "Hey! You must have some inspiration! Who are you? Looking at the entire Chinese film industry right now, who dares to say they are more talented than you? Right? You are a great talent! If you don't have any inspiration, how can anyone else survive? Isn't that right?"

Cao Sheng felt that Feng Xiaogang was using his flattery tactics again.

I must say, those words really make you feel elated.

But Cao Sheng wasn't fooled. "You flatter me! I'll try my best, I'll try my best, okay?"

Feng Xiaogang: "Okay! Okay! By the way, brother, if you're ever out of ideas for a comedy script, I can give it a try, like 'Ong-Bak.' You know what I mean?"

Cao Sheng was quite surprised.

Feng Xiaogang actually wants a script like "Ong-Bak"? Can he even direct a kung fu film?

However, since it's all just a perfunctory job anyway, Feng Xiaogang doesn't care what kind of script he wants.

Cao Sheng: "Oh, I see. Okay! If I come across another script like this, I'll consider giving it to you."

Feng Xiaogang: "Thank you, thank you! Then it's a deal, right?"

Cao Sheng: "It's a deal."

……

After ending his call with Feng Xiaogang, Cao Sheng called Zhen Zidan back.

On the phone, Zhen Zidan, who had been labeled a "tyrant on set," showed no domineering attitude whatsoever. Her tone was even more enthusiastic than Feng Xiaogang's, and she insisted on coming to Huizhou to invite Cao Sheng to dinner, saying that she must thank Cao Sheng in person for his support.

Because of his past enthusiasm, Cao Sheng couldn't refuse and had no choice but to agree.

……

The next morning.

Andy Lau flew to Huizhou. Cao Sheng didn't expect him to come so quickly. Fortunately, his new semester hadn't started yet, so he had time every day.

He wanted to go to the airport to pick him up.

But Andy Lau only notified him when he arrived at the airport, so he didn't have time to pick him up. Andy Lau's arrival immediately caused a sensation at the airport, and he was surrounded by people for more than two hours before he could get away.

When he arrived at the hotel that Cao Sheng had booked and met Cao Sheng, news of his visit to Huizhou had already appeared online.

"Superstar Andy Lau appears at Huizhou Airport, attracting thousands of onlookers!"

Similar news headlines appeared online.

This has attracted the attention of some netizens.

The impact is actually not that significant.

Because he is a recognized workaholic in the entertainment industry, news like this happens almost every day, and everyone is used to it.

Inside the hotel's private room.

Cao Sheng and his assistant Cui Xinyu hosted Andy Lau and Andy Lau's agent.

At the table, Andy Lau showed no superstar aura whatsoever. He appeared exceptionally polite and approachable, speaking to Cao Sheng like an ordinary actor talking to a director, exuding courtesy in every way.

A few people chatted while eating.

As they chatted, Andy Lau offered himself to Cao Sheng.

"Mr. Cao! I really love acting. Don't let my fame and high salary fool you. If a good script comes my way, I can not only work for free, but I can even bring my own investment to the project! Really! So, if you have a suitable script for me in the future, don't worry about my high salary. I really can bring my own investment to the project. If you want to find a suitable director, I can also help you make those connections. Moreover, I can help you invite and persuade other actors you want to star in the project. I hope you can see my sincerity!"

Cao Sheng listened with a smile, nodding occasionally.

Cui Xinyu, the assistant standing to the side, was completely stunned.

She never expected that her idol would be so humble in front of Cao Sheng, saying that he would not ask for a salary and could even bring his own investment to join the production.

This Andy Lau is so different from the Andy Lau she imagined.

Cao Sheng could only sigh.

He thought to himself: It's rare that he can become a mainstay in the entertainment industry. As a superstar, he can be so humble in front of a screenwriter like me and take such initiative to seek acting opportunities. How can other actors in the entertainment industry compete with him for opportunities?
With the statement "I can bring my own funding to join the production," he outshone other superstars of his caliber.

He not only outshone other superstars, but also crushed actors who were less famous and less talented than him.

If Cao Sheng were a director, could he refuse such a superstar?

Which director doesn't like a superstar who brings his own investment to the project?

Cao Sheng, who had originally given up on writing screenplays, was tempted to write one after hearing Andy Lau's words.

"Great! If I find a suitable script for you, I will definitely recommend you for the role!"

Cao Sheng made this promise.

Before he came to meet Andy Lau today, he had only intended to make a polite gesture and had no intention of agreeing to write the script.

But Andy Lau's attitude changed his decision.

……

the next day.
Andy Lau had just left Huizhou when Zhen Zidan arrived.

Cao Sheng had no choice but to take time out of his schedule to entertain Zhen Zidan.

As Cao Sheng expected, during the meal, Zhen Zidan, with a big smile, asked him to write a script for a kung fu movie, starring herself.

Cao Sheng verbally agreed, but didn't take it too seriously.

It wasn't that Zhen Zidan wasn't enthusiastic enough, but rather that he had just seen Andy Lau's humble attitude yesterday and was already immune to it.

Although he knew in his heart that Zhen Zidan had not yet reached the peak of her career and was still in her prime, Cao Sheng was not really interested in writing scripts for the time being, so he just gave a perfunctory answer, thinking that if he really wanted to write a script someday, he could collaborate with Zhen Zidan again.

Putting everything else aside, Donnie Yen's action scenes are truly spectacular.

This afternoon.

Because he had drunk quite a bit with Zhen Zidan, Cao Sheng returned to his residence and slept until after 4 p.m.

When he got up and went downstairs, he was surprised to see his girlfriend, Huang Qingya, cooking with his mother in the kitchen.

Cao Sheng raised an eyebrow, walked to the kitchen doorway, chuckled, and after attracting his mother and Huang Qingya's attention, he asked with a smile, "When did you arrive?"

Huang Qingya smiled and said, "I've been here for a while. Auntie said you were sleeping, so I didn't disturb you. Are you sleeping well?"

Cao Sheng's mother: "Sheng! Why have you been going out drinking every day these past few days? Don't turn into an alcoholic. Try to go out drinking less in the future, okay?"

Cao Sheng chuckled and nodded in agreement.

He understands his mother.

His mother taught him from a young age that when he grew up, he should not smoke, drink, or make friends with fair-weather friends. If he was going to make friends, he should make serious friends, and so on.

His mother was not well-educated and had never seen much of the world. She had spent most of her life dealing with crops, chickens, and ducks, and couldn't understand work-related social interactions.

Cao Sheng didn't want to argue with his mother; he would just agree with whatever she said.

Huang Qingya, upon hearing these words, glanced at his mother with some surprise, then exchanged a smile with Cao Sheng.

"Oh, right! The rooftop swimming pool is finished, Asheng! Take Xiaoya up for a swim! Xiaoya! Go play! I'll cook these dishes!"

Cao Sheng's mother suddenly remembered this and urged Cao Sheng to take Huang Qingya upstairs to swim with a smile. Huang Qingya declined several times, but Cao Sheng's mother smiled and pushed her out of the kitchen.

After a while.

Cao Sheng and she went to the rooftop.

Huang Qingya was not surprised to see the rooftop swimming pool, because she had seen it more than once when she occasionally came to visit Cao Sheng's parents while the pool was under construction.

The two changed into their swimsuits and entered the pool one after the other.

The pool water, which had been baking in the sun all afternoon, was still warm and very comfortable.

The two swam for a while, and when they got a little tired, they lay side by side on the edge of the pool, gazing at the scenery of the Xin'an River in front of them, and chatting softly.

Cao Sheng: "How's your book, 'The Biography of Xiao Qiao,' coming along? Have you submitted it to a publisher yet?"

Huang Qingya: "The outline is done, and the detailed outlines for the first few volumes are also done. The main text has more than 60,000 words, which is enough for submission. But before submission, I would like you to take a look at it for me and give me some feedback. Please take a look after dinner, okay?"

Cao Sheng looked at her, smiled and nodded.

She didn't usually write detailed outlines, but after spending the last two years with him, she saw detailed outlines of his works on his computer. Surprised, she said that she would try writing detailed outlines when she wrote her next book, and to her surprise, she actually did it this time.

(End of this chapter)